Stormwater Projects

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The Public Works Department applied for six grants and were awarded funds for all six. The two Lake Whatcom projects are listed with other Lake Whatcom projects below.

Columbia/Roosevelt Main Replacement In concert with necessary storm main replacements, connections to the mains will be upgraded to provide enhanced treatment for common pollutants before they enter the stormwater system. Treatment best management practices include rain gardens, bio-infiltration facilities, and sand filters for hydrocarbons and sediment and engineered media filters for nutrient and heavy metal removal. Funding: low-interest loan from Department of Ecology for $1,647,000.

Stormwater University (2011-2014) A compilation of stormwater education resources for municipalities, detention pond managers, industrial businesses and more. Resources include training videos, presentations, Best Management Practices fact sheets.
Funding: Department of Ecology.
Partners: RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, Whatcom County, Skagit County, City of Ferndale, City of Burlington, City of Mount Vernon, City of Sedro-Woolley

Central Business District Raingarden Retrofits - EV- 0105 (2012-2015)This project will retrofit existing paved areas on streets in the Bellingham Central Business District with rain gardens to improve water quality and provide flow reduction for five existing outfalls flowing directly to Whatcom Creek, a 303(d) listed water body. Neighboring businesses will be offered the opportunity to assist in ongoing maintenance through maintenance agreements.
Funding: Department of Ecology, Total Project $600,000, Ecology Share $450,000
Partners: Downtown Business Partnership, Sustainable Connections

Water Quality for Padden Creek Estuary (2012-2015)This project is for the design and construction of Low Impact Development (LID) and conventional water quality facilities to treat flows from a 30 inch diameter discharge pipe. This pipe conveys untreated stormwater from 90 acres directly into the Padden Creek Estuary.
Funding: Department of Ecology, Total Project $1,125,000, Ecology Share $843,750

Lake Whatcom Projects

Shepardson/Huntington Retrofits (2014-2015) This project is designed to implement Low Impact Development (LID) retrofits to mitigate for, or eliminate sources of, nutrient and bacteria loading in stormwater runoff from untreated public rights-of-way into Lake Whatcom. The project involves water quality improvements to reduce phosphorus loading from an unpaved section of roadway and ditches along Huntington and Shepardson streets. Funding: Washington State Department of Ecology and City of Bellingham.
Funding: Department of Ecology grant $432,560

Completed Projects

Britton Pond Retrofit (completed 2011) A treatment facility designed to remove phosphorus replaces a 1990 general stormwater treatment facility. Funding: City of Bellingham Public Works Storm and Surface Water Utility

Flynn Street Reforestation (completed 2011) A roadside section undergoes transformation to better absorb water and high phosphorus concentrations.
Funding: City of Bellingham Public Works Storm and Surface Water Utility

Lakeside Lane Phosphorus Filter Upgrade (completed 2011) A new media system, including phosphorus-removing filters, has received conditional approval from the Department of Ecology as a best management practice (BMP). Funding: City of Bellingham Public Works Storm and Surface Water Utility

Shared Street Sweeper (completed 2011)A
high-efficiency street sweeper was purchased to be shared by four NPDES Phase II permit holders.
Funding: Department of Ecology, City of Bellingham Public Works Storm and Surface Water Utility
Partners: Whatcom County, the Port of Bellingham, and the City of Ferndale

Other Stormwater Facilities and Activities in the Lake Whatcom Watershed